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"I can't in good conscience help you, Arlana."
Jaira looked up from where she sat in the living room the following morning, "The Bible says we are to shun the very appearance of evil. Helping you with your wedding would give the appearance that I support your marriage and whatever this is," she gestured at Atarah's womb, "But the truth is I'm dead against you marrying a Jew. They killed Jesus and you don't seem to care! Have you denied Christ? This is not right and I am beside myself with worry. All I can do is pray and trust me I am!"
Adelaide nodded, "You know better Atarah. Those who know better and don't do it...it's a sin."
She let her words hang for added emphasis, waiting for them to hit their target - Atarah's heart.
Atarah took a deep, measured breath, determined not to show her siblings how deep their words stung.
"You know," Jared leaned back, "I've said it before and I'll say it again. The Holocaust never actually happened. Those pictures they show are just a hoax. Israel belongs rightfully to Palestine. As for Hitler, he was a great leader. I wish I could have met him."
Shock washed over Atarah's features, unable to stifle her gasp in time.
"Surely you don't mean that!"
"It's true. They don't tell you the truth. The Jews are actually behind the scenes of most things, and all this is just blackmail...."
Atarah bit her tongue far too hard, thankful Azrael was out of earshot, playing upstairs with his cousins.Rivkah had taken her parents to the market, leaving Atarah at home to rest and spend time with her sisters.
"Speaking of which," Jaira didn't comment on her brother's theory, "I was out with Lachlan last night. He is working on another report - this time about the pending Peace Treaty. He took me along to see if I'd enjoy working with him..."
Jaira paused, looking over at Atarah, but getting no reaction, she continued, "Anyway, I have to write a report on it before he comes over today and has a look to see if it is any good. I'd love to write for The Resistance, so what do you think about this treaty?"
Jared ran his fingers through his thick beard, "It'll never happen. These greedy pigs will never relinquish the land that they stole. They've tried to create peace before and each time they failed. It's impossible really."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Isaac spoke up, startling Atarah who was used to him being silent. "I believe God put President Trump into power. Look at his family. They are all married to Jews. He makes no secret about his love for Israel. There must be a connection. Isn't there a prophecy in Revelation that there will be a peace treaty and that Jesus will come back after it is signed?"
Jaira nodded, "Yes, the peace treaty will be broken, then the Antichrist will enter the temple and desecrate it. I used to love studying prophecy." She rubbed her arms, suddenly chilled straight to her marrow, "I believe we won't be raptured and escape what is coming. We will have to go through it like Tribulation Saints."
Adelaide nodded. She and her husband fully agreed.
Atarah ran her fingers through her hair, "I read that Corrie Ten Boom also believed that we will go through the Tribulation. She said that we will not be spared and no escape will be had. We will suffer as well..."
"I've been trying to tell you that for years!" Jaira leaned forward, "But you thought we were crazy."
Atarah sighed, leaning back in the plush chair.
"I really don't know what will happen at the end of the world. I just believe we should be prepared either way," she looked up seeing Lachlan leaning on the doorframe beside her, "Besides, if it is true that we will go through the Tribulation, then the Third Temple must be built first right? I don't see that happening, so I think we have time."
Her sisters loved studying prophecy and all things related to the end of the world. As a teenager, Jaira had said she hoped Believers would not be raptured, it would be more interesting to have to go through the Tribulation. It looked like the years hadn't done anything to change her perspective.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Lachlan entered the conversation, pulling up a chair beside Atarah, "The Third Temple is in the works. From what I've been told, everything is ready. There's a rumour circulating that they even have a red heifer for the sacrifices now."
"So what are they waiting for?" Atarah turned to Lachlan, "When are they planning to start building?"
"I believe everyone is waiting for this Peace Treaty. I'm not certain though, but that is the assignment I was given...why I'm here," he glanced over at Atarah, sending her a look that spoke volumes.
Whatever was going on was serious.
"How's your report going?"
Lachlan directed his attention at Jaira who passed him a handwritten essay. He sat quietly reading the first few lines.
"Not bad. You do have a flair for words. It's very descriptive."
Jared watched for a few minutes, "So where do you stand on all of this?"
Lachlan looked up from the papers in his hand.
"Honestly, I haven't given it much thought. I've been busy covering our own news back in Canada. This, well, it is almost on another level, blending news and prophecy... Jaira, I have to leave in a few minutes. Do you mind if I take this with me, so I can have more time to look over it?"
A flush crept up her neck, "No problem. I really hope you like it..."
And hire me, she wanted to add but wasn't sure if he was in charge of that or not. He likely knew who was and hopefully could put in a good word for her. A chef in the mission by day, and a reporter for The Resistance by night.
Jaira couldn't help but smile.